I could hear the steps of Fillier behind me as he approached us. Turning my head in his direction, I could see that the young man was warily shifting his gaze from me to the girl who did not take her eyes off me and did not pay attention to the fact that Fillier was approaching us.
The other team members noticed that Fillier was approaching and looked at the girl with interest.
- I have to admit that Stufon Trey wasn't lying when he said he could use a wooden sword against me. - Filier said calmly as he walked toward us.
The girl turned her gaze to the young man; it was clear that she was unhappy with what Fillier had said, and, narrowing her eyes in irritation, she waited for what the team captain would say next.
- Now that I know how powerful Stufon Trey's sword style is, we need to split into groups to hone our tactics. The young man said calmly, looking from one team member to the next. - The chances of Stufon Trey having to compete in the Six Academies Tournament are slim, but they exist.
From his behavior, I could see how she was trying to keep away from Samantha and Cassandra, I saw how she thoughtfully shifted her gaze from me to the other team members.
- Stufon Trey, do you know how the fights at the Six Academies Tournament are conducted? - Filier asked me.
I could see how he tried to hide the nervousness from his voice. As I thought about his words, I just remembered that in addition to the academies, there would also be guilds at the tournament, but I didn't know exactly how the battle between the participants would take place.
- I only know that there are other guilds participating in the tournament, but beyond that, I don't know anything. I said thoughtfully, noticing the girl standing next to me grin.
Her behavior did not escape the notice of Filier, who looked at me in surprise and then at her, shrugging his shoulders to show the young man that I did not know the reason for her behavior. The team captain winced.
- The types of battles at the tournament change every time, and we'll only find out how they'll play out when we arrive at the tournament itself. - Filier said, looking at the girl, who pretended not to notice the young man's gaze. - That's why we're preparing for what won't happen at the tournament.
Listening to the team captain, I became curious about how the council of mages chooses how the teams will fight in the Six Academies Tournament.
The young man described the trials last time: most battles were team battles, but there were also solo ones with unusual fighting styles.
Seeing my surprised look, Filier reminded me that the Six Academies Tournament lasts a long time, and therefore placing stufons on different battlefields simplifies the fighting in the city where the Six Academies Tournament is held.
The tournament for mages and swordsmen was different; mages were limited to using only major and minor spells in battle.
Because higher spells required more than one mage, they were not allowed, while swordsmen had different rules.
Filier explained that he didn't know how their tournament worked, since during his time as an academy member, our academy had never fielded anyone.
- Now we need to split into teams to figure out who will make a better pair with Stufon Trey. - Filier said, looking at the team members. - The battle can't be won alone, but the team needs to understand and complement each other.
I saw many team members begin to retreat, leaving only Samantha, Cassandra, and the captain with me.
The behavior of the other team members didn't escape Filier's notice. He winced at the behavior of the other team members and looked thoughtfully at the girl who had expressed dissatisfaction with me for defeating the team captain.
- Stufon Milin, Stufon Afier, you will be in a squad with Stufon Trey. - Filier said, seeing Samantha and Cassandra's puzzled looks and their readiness to challenge his decision. He raised his hand, urging him to hear him out. - I understand your desire to fight in the same squad with your husband, Stufon Cassandra, and Stufon Samantha. You must understand that you are both powerful mages, and you have someone with whom you have trained many times already.
The girls wanted to dispute the team captain's words, shifting their gaze from those named by Filier.
They found it difficult to accept the young man's assertion that they had a well-established squad and that everyone knew their role.
Those named by the young man were assigned to squads, but they often clashed because Afiera was too outgoing and allowed herself to disrupt training matches by constantly communicating with opponents, while Milin, the girl, was too strict with her teammates, demanding obedience and unquestioning adherence to her orders.
It was difficult for me to understand why Filier had chosen these particular girls as my squadmates—whether it was revenge for his loss to me? Glancing at him, I saw that his face and eyes showed no signs of joy or anger.
- Your squad will be commanded by Stufon Trey. - The young man said, and seeing the displeasure of the dark elf and the other girl, he raised his hand, urging him to continue. - From observing your squads, it's clear to me and others that if I give command to one of the two, you won't consider the interests of the other team members.
The girls looked at me with irritation as they listened to Filier's words. I had no desire to be a squad leader.
As a substitute for the main team members, I expected to avoid joining squads with anyone. While I previously thought the team captain was using his role to get what he wanted, my opinion has now begun to change.
Perhaps he genuinely cares about the team and is trying to give it every chance of winning the Six Academies Tournament.
- As a temporary unit, you need to discuss strategy and tactics for your unit. - The young man said, gesturing toward another part of the platform where the wooden weapons were located. - You can discuss it away from us to prevent others from using your knowledge against you.
Looking thoughtfully from the girls to the spot the team captain indicated, I shrugged and headed in the direction Filier had indicated. I could only hope the girls wouldn't try to show they disagreed with the young man's decision.
As I moved away from the main body of the team, I heard footsteps gradually approaching behind me.
Like my other brothers and sisters, I was trained in combat and strategy. As a prince, I was expected to lead my subjects into battle in the name of the Cray Empire.
Each potential heir to the throne had their own mock army, as the teachers of strategy and tactics called it.
And we fought with these armies, armed with real weapons. In my mock army, there were always casualties, and I often lost to my brothers and sisters.
In all the tactics and strategies I knew as a prince, there were instances of fighting in squads, called cutting squads, designed to sow initial terror before an attack where the enemy was least expecting it. Lost in my thoughts, I approached the spot where Filier had pointed.
Looking back, I saw two girls approaching me, frowning and looking at me with irritation. Approaching me, both girls silently folded their arms across their chests and began to await my action.
It was clear from their looks and expressions that they didn't expect me to know anything about strategy, much less combat tactics.
- Captain, are you going to try to come up with tactics or trust a more knowledgeable member of the team? - The girl said mockingly. - You may be a nominal commander, but trust me to lead the battle?
It was clear that Milin wanted to take responsibility for the team's tactics upon herself, glancing at the dark elf, who was looking back with a bored look at where the remaining team members were standing.
- No, I will be developing our squad's tactics and strategy, but I am ready to listen to your ideas and suggestions and take them into account. - I said, attracting the attention of the dark elf, who turned her gaze to me. - Tell me, which of you masters what magic and how well you wield your weapons.
The girl clicked her tongue in displeasure and, narrowing her eyes, began to describe what magic she wielded and how well she wielded her weapons.
After finishing, she waited with interest for Afyera, who saw the anticipation in our gazes, to speak.
- Usually, young members of the races are interested in other things about me. - Afyera tried to joke, but seeing that the girl and I didn't appreciate it, she put her hand to her face. - How serious you are! Filier was apparently getting revenge on me for offering him a job as a servant in my family.
She wanted to accept the academy's captain as her servant? Seeing the confusion in my eyes, the dark elf only laughed.